Business catalogLos AngelesRanking 2026
Ice cream shop Los Angeles
Finding the Perfect Scoop: How to Choose an Ice Cream Shop in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a city defined by its vibrant culinary scene, and finding the perfect frozen treat is a quintessential part of the local experience. When searching for an ice cream shop in Los Angeles, it is important to consider more than just proximity. Look for establishments that prioritize high-quality, fresh ingredients and offer a variety of flavor profiles, ranging from classic staples to innovative, locally-inspired creations. Whether you prefer traditional dairy-based scoops, artisanal gelato, or dairy-free alternatives, the best spots often distinguish themselves through their commitment to craftsmanship and a welcoming atmosphere.
Understanding Ratings and Reviews
Navigating the vast options across the city can be overwhelming, which is why reading customer feedback is essential. When evaluating reviews, look for consistent mentions of service quality, cleanliness, and flavor consistency. A high rating is a strong indicator of customer satisfaction, but it is equally important to read the content of the reviews to see if the shop aligns with your personal preferences. Our Ice cream shop Los Angeles ranking is designed to help you cut through the noise by highlighting the top destinations based on public Google reviews. By analyzing both the numerical ratings and the sentiment expressed in user comments, we have curated a list of 13 standout businesses that consistently deliver excellence.
Our 2026 Selection Criteria
To ensure our list remains a reliable resource for locals and visitors alike, this best Ice cream shop in Los Angeles guide is compiled using transparent data points. We have focused exclusively on public Google reviews, taking into account the overall star rating, the volume of feedback, and the qualitative insights provided by patrons. By aggregating this information, we have identified 13 establishments that have earned the trust and praise of the community throughout 2026. This approach ensures that our recommendations reflect the genuine experiences of real customers, helping you find a reliable spot for your next dessert outing in the city.
- Companies ranked
- 13 Companies
- Average rating
- 4,7 Avg. rating
- Edition year
- 2026 Edition
Updated June 20, 2026
Company ranking
13 places- 014,9(706 reviews)Portal score 8,6
Mashti Malone’s is widely praised for its unique, high-quality Persian-inspired ice cream flavors and generous sampling policy. While most customers enjoy the friendly service and atmosphere, some visitors have reported issues with staff behavior and closing procedures.
- Unique Persian-inspired flavors
- Generous sample offerings
- Creamy ice cream texture
- 024,7(1,522 reviews)Portal score 8,4
Salt & Straw is widely praised for its creative, high-quality ice cream and extensive selection of unique seasonal flavors. While most customers enjoy the friendly service and the ability to sample flavors, some find the pricing high and the lines long.
- Unique and creative flavors
- Generous sample policy
- Friendly and knowledgeable staff
- 034,8(370 reviews)Portal score 8,4
Van Leeuwen is widely praised for its high-quality, creamy ice cream and extensive selection of vegan options. While most customers report exceptional, friendly service, a small number of visitors have experienced issues with staff behavior and portion sizes.
- High-quality creamy ice cream
- Extensive vegan flavor options
- Friendly and helpful staff
- 044,7(930 reviews)Portal score 8,4
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is highly regarded for its unique, high-quality flavor variety and exceptionally friendly, patient staff. While customers frequently praise the creative menu and sampling policy, some find the pricing high relative to the portion sizes provided.
- Unique and creative flavors
- Friendly and patient staff
- Generous flavor sampling policy
- 054,7(1,069 reviews)Portal score 8,4
Ginger's Divine Ice Cream is widely praised for its creamy texture, creative flavor variety, and generous portion sizes. While customers frequently commend the friendly service and vegan options, some patrons express frustration regarding the high price point and occasional inconsistency in ingredient ratios.
- Generous portion sizes
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Wide variety of vegan options
- 064,8(390 reviews)Portal score 8,4
Kansha Creamery is highly regarded for its fresh, creamy, and high-quality ice cream with a rotating selection of flavors. Customers frequently praise the friendly service and generous portion sizes, noting that the shop is a popular local destination.
- Creamy and fresh ice cream
- Friendly and efficient staff
- Generous scoop sizes
- 074,8(321 reviews)Portal score 8,3
Paradis Ice Cream in Downtown Los Angeles is highly regarded for its fresh, handmade ice cream and wide variety of unique, exotic flavors. Customers consistently praise the exceptionally friendly and welcoming staff who encourage extensive sampling before purchase.
- Friendly and welcoming staff
- Generous sampling policy
- Fresh, high-quality ingredients
- 084,6(1,364 reviews)Portal score 8,3
Mateo's Ice Cream is highly regarded for its extensive variety of unique, homemade ice cream flavors, fruit bars, and fresh juices. While customers consistently praise the quality of the treats and the friendly staff, the location is frequently noted for its difficult parking situation.
- Wide variety of flavors
- Fresh fruit and juices
- Friendly customer service
- 094,6(583 reviews)Portal score 8,3
Magpies is a popular soft serve shop in Los Angeles known for its wide variety of unique, rotating flavors and vegan options. While many customers praise the creamy texture and quality of the desserts, others find the soft serve to be icy or artificial in taste.
- Wide variety of unique flavors
- Extensive vegan options
- Friendly and helpful staff
- 104,6(1,044 reviews)Portal score 8,3
This popular K-town dessert shop is widely praised for its high-quality, organic soft serve ice cream and unique specialty cones. While customers frequently enjoy the flavor variety and the popular croffle, the small shop size and limited indoor cooling can make for an uncomfortable experience during peak hours.
- Creamy and flavorful ice cream
- Unique specialty cones
- Hot and crispy croffles
- 114,8(260 reviews)Portal score 8,1755 S Spring St #101, Los Angeles, CA 90014(213) 221-7914
28 Wishes is a popular downtown Los Angeles ice cream shop recognized for its creative, high-quality flavors and late-night availability. While most customers praise the friendly staff and unique menu, some visitors have noted concerns regarding portion sizes, wait times, and inconsistent service policies.
- Creative and flavorful ice cream
- Friendly and hospitable staff
- Convenient late-night hours
- 124,7(204 reviews)Portal score 8,1
Bacio di Latte is highly regarded for its rich, high-quality gelato and sorbet, with many customers praising the variety of flavors and the ability to sample them before purchasing. While the majority of visitors report exceptional, friendly service, there are isolated concerns regarding inconsistent portion sizes.
- High-quality gelato and sorbet
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Generous flavor sampling policy
- 134,7(286 reviews)Portal score 8,0
Gelateria ULI is highly regarded for its high-quality, fresh, and unique gelato flavors, with many customers praising the variety of options available. While some patrons enjoy the convenience of the vending machine concept, others note that the experience differs from a traditional storefront.
- High quality unique flavors
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Cute seating area
Company comparison
Frequently asked questions
- How do I choose the best ice cream shops in Los Angeles?
- To find the best spot, start by reviewing our curated list of 18 businesses in the city. We recommend looking for shops that consistently maintain high customer satisfaction, such as 28 Wishes Ice Cream Shop, which currently holds a 4.8/5 rating.
- What should I look for when visiting an ice cream shop?
- Look for shops that prioritize fresh ingredients and offer a variety of unique flavor profiles. You should also expect a clean environment and friendly service, which are hallmarks of the top-rated establishments in our 2026 ranking.
- How should I interpret ratings and reviews for ice cream shops?
- When reading reviews, focus on recent feedback to gauge the current quality of service and product freshness. While the average rating for the category is currently unavailable, you can use the 4.8/5 rating of 28 Wishes Ice Cream Shop as a benchmark for excellence.
- What is a practical tip for finding the best ice cream in Los Angeles?
- A great tip is to visit during off-peak hours to avoid long lines and to ask for a sample of seasonal flavors before committing to a full scoop. Exploring the 18 businesses featured in our ranking is the most efficient way to discover high-quality local options.
- Are prices consistent across all ice cream shops in Los Angeles?
- No, prices vary depending on the specific shop, the type of ingredients used, and the serving size. We suggest checking the individual websites or social media pages of the 18 businesses in our ranking to get an idea of their specific offerings.